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Chunk of the Blarney Stone

Unlike the parent Blarney Stone, which requires a contortionist's twist to kiss it (not to mention a trip all the way to Ireland), this tiny chunk is conveniently cemented onto the top of a small pedestal on the campus of Texas Tech University.

Its origins are mysterious. According to a plaque on its pedestal, the stone "was uncovered by a group of engineers near here on March 7, 1939" and "was found to be identical with a piece of the original Blarney Stone which disappeared in from Blarney Castle near Dublin, Ireland in 1659." Perhaps the obscurity of this chunk, or its small size, has kept Ireland from asking for it back.

The Texas Tech Engineering Society has decreed that no Texas Tech underclass engineers can kiss the Stone, although that doesn't forbid any tourist from taking a smooch. But you may want to bring some sanitizer. It's a tiny chunk, and every square inch has probably been pressed by a lot of lips.

Chunk of the Blarney Stone

Texas Tech University

On the campus of Texas Tech University. I-27 exit 4 onto US 82. Drive west, then quickly exit onto 4th St. Drive three-quarters of a mile, then turn left onto University Ave. Drive south a quarter-mile, then turn right onto 8th St. and onto campus. Drive to the end of 8th St. and turn right onto Akron Ave. Drive past the stadiums on the right, the road make a sharp left, then quickly turn left onto Canton Ave. Drive past the entry gate, and the baseball and track fields on the right. Toward the end of the track field, near the scoreboard, you'll see a parking lot on the left. Park there. The Blarney Stone is atop a small pedestal, at the far end of the parking lock from Canton Ave., in the middle of a walkway leading to the Electrical Engineering Building.